LHNCC area

Construction site preparation works for the Edinburgh’s Trams to Newhaven project will start on Monday, 1 June 2020 in line with the Scottish Government’s Phase 1 pre-start site preparation.

Work on the project was stopped at the end of March to comply with Government guidance and to protect the safety of workers and residents during the coronavirus outbreak.

Following the First Minister’s announcement on 21 May of a phased return for construction sites, plans have been drawn up in line with Scottish Government safety guidelines and industry best practice to ensure the safety of workers and the public. At the briefing on 28 May the First Minister confirmed that site preparation could begin.

In advance of the main work beginning, works to prepare construction sites and project offices will include the introduction of infection control stations, additional water stations and toilet facilities for workers within the site and in the project office, and ensuring all office workspaces and facilities are set up appropriately. Other works on site will include the removal of the protective in-fill material that was used to ensure the work site remained safe and protected during the shutdown.

Measures to protect workers’ health will include daily briefings, continuous on-site inspections and health and safety ‘ambassadors.’ The numbers of workers on-site will be kept to a minimum and the majority of project office staff will continue to work from home.

Once the construction industry is given the approval to move to Phase 2, works on the existing sites will recommence and the Leith Walk construction site will be established as planned prior to site shutdown.

Any commencement of main works will be subject to the Scottish Government giving approval to move to Phase 2 of their construction guidelines which states: ‘soft start to site works (only where physical distancing can be maintained)’.

The project team has been working on plans to mitigate the impact of the enforced shutdown as a result of COVID 19 on the programme and budget. Despite the current circumstances the project continues to operate within its £207·3m budget. The project is paid for by borrowing monies that are repaid over a 30-year period through future revenues from customers.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to get in contact

Regards

Chris Wilson

For information

The Scottish Government’s phased approach to construction details six key phases to ensure work is carried out in a safe way. These are:

Phase 0: Planning

Phase 1: Covid-19 Pre-start Site preparation

Phase 2: ‘Soft start’ to site works (only where physical distancing can be maintained)

Phase 3: Steady state operation (only where physical distancing can be maintained)

Notes of the Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council members-only meeting, held via Zoom on Tuesday 28 April 2020 at 7pm
Actions and decisions are red italic. Nem con means that no-one spoke or voted against an item.

Monument to the victims of the Gretna Rail Disaster of 22 May 1915, Britain’s worst rail crash, in which 227 officers and men of the Royal Scots were killed. The monument is located in Rosebank Cemetery, Edinburgh.

The train crash killed 214 of the Leith-based 7th Battalion and on the 23 May 101 coffins were taken in procession along a route lined with more than 3,000 soldiers for burial in a mass grave at the nearby Rosebank Cemetery.

LHNCC’s secretary laid a commemorative wreath at 11.00am on Friday 22 May 2020.

Edinburgh Council has published a guide to conduct when using off-road paths.

Click either graphic to see the full PDF:

Here’s the text from the PDF:

Edinburgh is great for walking and cycling with its fantastic network of off-road paths across the city.

These paths are for everyone. Whether you’re out for a stroll, heading to work, off for a run, walking the dog, taking a leisurely bike ride or out for a family adventure with the kids.

So everyone can share the paths in safety and comfort, please follow this simple code of conduct.

You can get this document on tape, in Braille, large print and various computer formats if you ask us. Please contact Interpretation and Translation Service (ITS) on 0131 242 8181 and quote reference number 17-2231. ITS can also give information on community language translations. You can get more copies of this document by calling 0131 529 3030.

(adapted from an email from Leith Rotary, with apologies for taking a while to post this. LHNCC’s web-master has had a few too many personal commitments recently.)

Dear Friends

In view of our current difficulty in raising funds and, as many of you may know, Adam Robertson-Falk runs a Social Enterprise operating for the benefit of his staff, clients and the environment, working with fabrics to produce classic apparel. He has offered to produce non-medical Facemasks for us to sell to local charities, members of Rotary and members of the general public. The mask is a 3 layered face barrier with space for an additional filter layer and will be produced in Rotary blue with yellow stitching. Masks are washable at 40-60 degrees and should be washed after every wearing. We are selling these for the very reasonable price of £7.50 each to the public. All profits will be donated to local foodbanks and to other organisations supporting those in need at this time.

An order form, together with a picture of the mask, is here. On the order form please show the total number of masks you require and then send completed order forms to leithrotaryfacemasks@gmail.com. You can also use this e-mail address for any enquiries.

Given the unusual nature of the circumstances we are in, we are doing our best for the Community Council and also the best in our responsibility to deliver upon our commitment to the community which we serve.

Because LHNCC is currently learning how to conduct meetings online, this will be a members-only ‘discussion’ meeting.